Fantom 29er FS owners-info

Any owners of this frame, could you respond back to me with your impressions of the ride and steering response of it? I have been on 29ers for a while and have demoed some FS ones too. The price on this frame & fork is fair but I can't find much info on how it rides, if it rides plush or stiff, if it pedals well, if it steers slow of will carve turns using hip action or any other ride info. Any help would be appreciated. You can respond to me directly at sjs514@hotmail.com

So there is no confusion about which frame I'm referring to here is a link to the frame on BD:

Yeah, I am interested also! I have been keeping an eye on this one. Some of the deals on BD are amazing on this ride. It is a bit odd to me how few people on here are talking about it. Seems like an awesome deal! For someone like me who likes to wrench on his own ride, I really see no reason to pay more than double for a bike.

I bought the frame/fork kit and built up a complete bike for around $2100 including a Reverb dropper post. I didn't want the complete bike from BD because I don't like the bars, seat, stem, wheels and drivetrain, also I prefer BB7s. I am looking for an all-mountain bike to take overseas on adventure vacations and this bike will be perfect.

This is my first dual suspension mtb, I was riding a misfit 29er with front shock before I bought the Moto last spring. I'm not an expert rider so perhaps all the subtle points of a $6k ride are lost on me, also I'm a line picker, not a hucker. I wanted to try dual suspension to see if that will help me on some of the harder stuff.

I've been riding it for over 8 months now and couldn't be happier. I took a ridebetter clinic on it and the instructor agreed the bike is solid and works just fine. I was checking out a Salsa Spearfish and it's rear triangle isn't any stiffer than my Moto.

Just a couple of questions-comparing it with your hardtail, does it handle as well (carve turns, etc)? How about on steep climbs, does the front end get very light and wander? Switchbacks a problem? I know these are subjective type questions but you seem to be the first response to my original question that is riding one currently. Thanks.

I have had great experiences in turns with this bike. I can whip the tail end around or slow a bit and make a sharp lean. It hasn't let me down. The suspension does stiffen a tad when braking, but it hasn't been problematic. On uphills, the bike climbs great. The front end will feel lighter uphill, but it only starts to wander once I am fatigued to the point I need to rest.

I don't have any trouble carving corners or climbing switchbacks with my motoDS. I find those skills have less to do with the bike and more to do with the rider. I took the money I saved not buying an EVO and spent it on a 3 day ridebetter clinic with my son. Best money I've ever spent on mtb'ing (the ridebetter clinic). Also, wide bars really help with cornering and climbing. Proper width of bars is the same as your hand's spread when you do push-ups.

Yeah, I am interested also! I have been keeping an eye on this one. Some of the deals on BD are amazing on this ride. It is a bit odd to me how few people on here are talking about it. Seems like an awesome deal! For someone like me who likes to wrench on his own ride, I really see no reason to pay more than double for a bike.

Bueller... Bueller... Bueller.... anyone? anyone? anyone?

Slight hijack, but to answer your question....the ONLY people I have seen bad-mouthing BD and their bikes are those who buy a low end bike and expect top tier equipment, those who have broken a bike (like 2 people I think) or those who have never seen one, never ridden one and don't know anyone who has. Typically a rider who paid about 2x the amount for the same level of bike from a "Big Name" builder...probably stings a bit to spend almost 3 Grand on a full suspension bike to see one better equipped for less money at BD.

Remember when we were kids and our Mom's said we could not play in the mud? I'm making up for it now!!

Great reviews. I had a question about the rear suspension setup. How does it climb? I have an old Giant Warp DS2 (very old tech) and even when I'm not climbing, it feels like the bike it compressing itself and I'm loosing all my energy instead of putting it to the ground. Is the rear pretty solid under power but shock absorbing when it needs to be over the rough stuff? What rear shock is on yours? It looks like the suspension design and geometry hasn't changed with the new models, only the shocks and forks along with other components.

How does it climb? I have an old Giant Warp DS2 (very old tech) and even when I'm not climbing, it feels like the bike it compressing itself and I'm loosing all my energy instead of putting it to the ground. Is the rear pretty solid under power but shock absorbing when it needs to be over the rough stuff?

All the fantom 29 FS bikes come with a Rockshox Monarch RT3 rear shock. This bike climbs surprisingly efficient, even without propedal. The overall feel of the bike's suspension is stiff, but smooth. The bike is very nimble and handles corners well. It has easily and most times effortlessly handled any obstacle and test I have thrown it at.

All the fantom 29 FS bikes come with a Rockshox Monarch RT3 rear shock. This bike climbs surprisingly efficient, even without propedal. The overall feel of the bike's suspension is stiff, but smooth. The bike is very nimble and handles corners well. It has easily and most times effortlessly handled any obstacle and test I have thrown it at.

I ordered the XTR version a couple of days ago in a medium. I will post up some pics and thoughts after it arrives. I have had every level of bike, both mountain and road so it will be interesting to see how it measures up.

I ordered the XTR version a couple of days ago in a medium. I will post up some pics and thoughts after it arrives. I have had every level of bike, both mountain and road so it will be interesting to see how it measures up.

Did you get your bike yet? I'm looking forward to your feedback on it.

I received it (size medium) last Tuesday and have put about 75 miles on it since then. Assembly was pretty straightforward and took about one hour. I immediately changed the seat, grips, seatpost clamp and replaced the upper bushing on the rear shock with a RWC needle bearing kit. I may still swap the bars as I am not a huge fan of straight bars. The frame is very nice, although not the quality of the full suspension name brand bikes I have ridden or owned before. The welds and machining are equivalent to any other bike I have owned or looked at, but the rear triangle and its pivot points are where the name brand bikes are just cleaner. The pivot bearings on this bike, while sealed, are relatively exposed unlike many other full suspension systems. I have also had a difficult time getting the rear shock dialed in to my preference but the suspension overall is very nice. It comes out of the box pretty stiff feeling. I have adjusted the ipf pressure as well as the main pressure and it continues to get better. I just cannot get the bike to use the full rear travel on trails I know should be using all the travel. I rode for a couple hours today on some pretty technical trails and the suspension performed very well. The rear still chatters on fast descents with smaller obstacles but I am sure with some more adjustments It will only get better. It climbs very well and has good balance. The front stays planted and the rear holds grip. Overall I am very impressed. I really like the bike. I don't see how I could of beat it for the price. $1995 with a special coupon. Here are some pics and a tape measure for those of you who wanted measurements on a medium.

I received it (size medium) last Tuesday and have put about 75 miles on it since then. Assembly was pretty straightforward and took about one hour. I immediately changed the seat, grips, seatpost clamp and replaced the upper bushing on the rear shock with a RWC needle bearing kit. I may still swap the bars as I am not a huge fan of straight bars. The frame is very nice, although not the quality of the full suspension name brand bikes I have ridden or owned before. The welds and machining are equivalent to any other bike I have owned or looked at, but the rear triangle and its pivot points are where the name brand bikes are just cleaner. The pivot bearings on this bike, while sealed, are relatively exposed unlike many other full suspension systems. I have also had a difficult time getting the rear shock dialed in to my preference but the suspension overall is very nice. It comes out of the box pretty stiff feeling. I have adjusted the ipf pressure as well as the main pressure and it continues to get better. I just cannot get the bike to use the full rear travel on trails I know should be using all the travel. I rode for a couple hours today on some pretty technical trails and the suspension performed very well. The rear still chatters on fast descents with smaller obstacles but I am sure with some more adjustments It will only get better. It climbs very well and has good balance. The front stays planted and the rear holds grip. Overall I am very impressed. I really like the bike. I don't see how I could of beat it for the price. $1995 with a special coupon. Here are some pics and a tape measure for those of you who wanted measurements on a medium.